Thailand aims to transform the country to reach five targets under the 13th national economic and social development plan to be implemented from 2023 to 2027, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday.
Gen Prayut addressed the matter when he was presiding over an online seminar titled "Mission to Transform" held by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
The seminar, attended by state agencies, the political sector, the private sector and civic organisations, was aimed at gauging opinion on the draft plan.
It is the first time that Gen Prayut unveiled details of the plan to members of the public, saying the government will develop the country under the five goals listed.
Gen Prayut said the country firstly needs to restructure the production of its goods in connection with the digital economy. It must attach importance to research and development.
Secondly, the country needs to develop human resources to keep up with rapid digital changes.
"If people have more knowledge on using digital technology, they will be able to have access to new knowledge necessary for their work," he told participants.
Thirdly, the plan has attached importance to giving equal opportunities and fairness to people.
So the government should come up with policies to reduce income disparity such as offering more social welfare to low-income earners, welfare for people with disabilities, children, and the elderly, Gen Prayut said.
Fourthly, he said the country needs to focus more on environmental conservation and ways of handling the effects of global climate change in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
Lastly, he said the country needs to prepare itself for any global challenges and issues such as connectivity to neighbouring countries, and the development of economic corridors in each region of the world as development proceeds apace.
NESDC secretary-general Danucha Pichayanan said the implementation of the 12th national economic and social development plan between 2017 to 2022 was likely to miss its target as the country still faced problems related to the spread of Covid-19.